Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

Lucas glanced at Nero, his eyes narrowing behind the dark mask that concealed his identity. He could sense the playful challenge in Nero's words, and he couldn't help but feel a flicker of amusement at the other man's boldness.

With a smirk, Lucas shifted his grip on his sword, the Sin Of Sword gleaming ominously in the illusory sunlight.

"I may not be looked like human, but I know how to handle myself in a fight," he replied, his voice low and confident. "And as for my sword... let's just say it's seen its fair share of action."

As the crowd of spectators murmured in anticipation, Lucas and Nero faced off, their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. Despite the playful banter, both men knew that this duel would be anything but ordinary.

"Is that so? Then let's see who is strong one here!"

Nero said and took a step forward and at the same time and announcement rang in all gladiators arena.

"...Nero Shan has challenged Darkheart!"

Lucas and Nero squared off, the air thick with anticipation as the crowd murmured in excitement. The announcement echoed through the ancient coliseum, heightening the tension.

With a swift movement, Nero closed the distance between them, his espadon gleaming under the illusory sunlight. Lucas met his advance with equal speed, the Sin Of Sword cutting through the air with deadly precision.

Their swords clashed in a shower of sparks, the force of their blows sending shockwaves through the sand beneath their feet.

Lucas moved with practiced ease, his every strike calculated and deliberate. Nero, for his part, fought with a mix of power and finesse, his strikes swift and precise.

The crowd watched in awe as the two warriors exchanged blows, their movements a blur of speed and agility.

Despite the intensity of the battle, both men remained calm and focused, their eyes locked in a silent challenge.

* * *

'Damn it! He's the same as rest of them.'

Lucas couldn't help but shout inwardly as he was in middle of sword play against Nero.

Lucas was disappointed of Nero.

Just the way Nero move his body and sword, Lucas could tell that he practiced the same damned battle style that everyone else here seemed to practice. And Lucas had more than enough of it for one day.

'Ugh…'

His time in the virtual real world was limited, so he really hoped to experience a more diverse collection of opponents before it ran out.

'Maybe there's still hope. Maybe the next one is going to be different.'

It was better to finish this fight quickly, then.

'How about I used that move? I didn't try it before but I think I should test on him.'

Instantly Lucas eyes turned blood red from forest green eyes, it's seems that his whole existence changed.

No one knows that Lucas was going for kill, not even his opponent.

His opponent, meanwhile, smiled.

"Let me teach you the first lesson. You should always…"

'...wear a helmet into the battle, fool.'

Dashing forward, Lucaw easily deflected Nero's blow and he too step forward and appear near Nero face.

All of this happened in instant that Nero didn't know Lucas get this closed to him.

Lucas on the other hand muttered the forbidden name of the sword art first move.

"Sword Art:- Grade 5* Infernal Demonic Art—First Form: The Sword of Madness."

SWOOSH—!

It all happened in instant, Lucas sword began t glow in blood red hue as well Lucas whole body was covered in blood red hue colour.

It was as if blood was leaking was out of the Lucas body but that wasn't the case.

SLASH—!

In instant Lucas slashed the head of Nero as white spark and blood leaked everywhere.

The arena was ground was stunned in silence.

As the corpse of the eloquent young man fell down and disintegrated into a rain of sparks, he flourished the sword to clean it from blood, returned to his previous spot, and indifferently put it on his shoulder.

'I swear to gods. The next person to challenge me better be using a different style. Otherwise… I might get angry!'

***

Nero Shen found himself standing in a boundless black void, his mouth agape.

His viewers, too, were uncharacteristically silent.

'One strike… one strike! He killed me in one strike and what was that sword art? I didn't see something dangerous sword art before.'

Nero could still fill that his neck wasn't in his right place.

It was all happened so fast but he still remember the eyes of the man that defeated him.

'He was Looking like demon.' Nero thought and gulped down mouth full saliva.

He lingered for a few moments, then turned to the invisible camera and forced out an awkward smile.

"That was… uh… that was really unexpected, right guys?"

Then, his smile grew wide and sincere.

"That, guys, is what people call finding a diamond in a pile of… uh… dung! Incredible luck! Yeah, definitely a stroke of luck. Oh, by the way... has anyone clipped it?"

***

Back to arena...

Lucas's breath came in slow, controlled measures as he stood in the arena, his eyes scanning the stunned crowd.

The atmosphere was thick with a mix of awe and fear. He could sense the hesitation in the air; the once eager challengers now held back, wary of facing the mysterious warrior who had just effortlessly dispatched Nero Shan.

Despite the victory, Lucas felt a twinge of frustration. Nero, like the others, had failed to provide the challenge he craved.

He longed for an opponent who could truly test his limits, someone who would force him to unleash his full potential.

With a resigned sigh, Lucas turned to leave the arena, but then a voice rang out, clear and confident.

"I'll be your next opponent, Darkheart."

Lucas paused, his interest piqued. He turned to see a figure stepping forward from the crowd.

The new challenger was tall and lean, with an air of quiet confidence that set him apart from the others.

His armor was a sleek, black design, and his weapon was an elegant rapier that seemed to shimmer with a life of its own.

The crowd murmured in anticipation as the newcomer approached, his steps steady and purposeful. Lucas could feel a flicker of hope stirring within him.

Perhaps this would be the opponent he had been searching for.

The new challenger stopped a few feet away from Lucas and offered a respectful nod.

"My name is Alaric," he said, his voice calm and measured. "I've heard of your skills, and I must say, I'm eager to test them for myself."

Lucas returned the nod, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"Very well, Alaric," he replied. "Let's see what you've got."

The arena fell silent as the two warriors faced off, their eyes locked in a silent challenge. The anticipation in the air was palpable, the crowd holding its breath in suspense.

With a swift motion, Lucas raised his sword, the Sin Of Sword gleaming in the light. Alaric responded in kind, his rapier held steady and poised for action.

The voice of the Virtual Reality system echoed through the arena, announcing the start of the duel.

"Alaric has challenged Darkheart!"

The two men moved simultaneously, their swords clashing with a resounding crash. The force of their blows sent sparks flying, and the ground beneath them trembled with the intensity of their battle.